Sporting

Racing at Ascot Racecourse

Few sporting venues match the 250 year heritage and history of Ascot Racecourse – one of the most famous racecourses in the world. Tradition, pageantry, fashion and style place June's Royal Ascot at the centre of the social calendar and, with £5.5 million in prize money at stake, it's Britain's most valuable race meeting and the ultimate stage for the world's best racehorses. Ascot Racecourse also hosts the £1 million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (July) the best and highest-rated race in the UK, family racedays and events such as an annual Beer Festival and a Fireworks Spectacular.

SUP – Stand Up Paddleboarding at Bray Lake Watersports

The newest way to spend time on the water and one of the UK's fastest growing watersports, paddleboarding is easy to learn and doesn’t require great strength or fitness. You just need patience and balance and to choose the right conditions. Bray Lake Watersports, near Windsor, is one of the UK's largest water sports clubs offering tuition packages to learn stand up paddle boarding.

Bray Lake also offers many other watersports so why not try windsurfing, sailing, kayaking or canoeing?  Under 15s are not forgotten and they can keep active and have fun while trying a new skill.  Summer holiday courses are available along with the weekend watersports club.

Cycling in Windsor Great Park

This vast Norman hunting chase of countryside stretching from Windsor Castle to Ascot is the ideal location to explore by bike. Motor vehicles and motorcycles are restricted, so apart from the occasional estate vehicle you will enjoy generally vehicle-free roads and tracks. The National Cycle Route passes through Windsor Great Park, and there is an extensive network of roads and tracks where cycling and rollerblading is allowed.

Mountain biking at Swinley Forest

Mountain Biking and off-road cycling 

Although off-road cycling is not permitted in Windsor Great Park, you can head to Swinley Forest (part of the Crown Estate, around 20 minutes' drive from Windsor) to find three different routes catering for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.

Open water swimming

Following the expansion in the popularity in triathlon and open water swimming, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead’s Open Water Swimming Centre operates at Bray Lake, where professional coaches welcome swimmers of all abilities from novice triathletes to aspiring English Channel swimmers and everyone in between.

Polo action at Guards Polo Club

Watching polo

During the summer in Royal Windsor, there are regular opportunities to watch this fast-action sport and take part in half time ‘divot stamping’ Pretty Woman style! With 12 grounds, Guards Polo Club located at Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park is Europe's largest area dedicated to playing polo. Polo 'chukkas' take place most days from April-September. Members of the royal family are often seen watching from the Pavilion (you can tell when The King is there as the Royal Standard flies from the top of the Pavilion).

Learn to play polo

There are lots of opportunities to experience the 'Sport of Kings' in Royal Windsor. Ascot Park Polo Club's 'Discover Polo Package' is the ideal starting point for those wanting to learn the basics of the game and covers riding, use of the stick, rules of the game, and stick and ball practice on ponies. They welcome non-riders and provide all the necessary equipment, including specially trained (and understanding!) ponies. Top-class coaching enables even non-riders to take part in their first period of play or 'chukka' within one session. Private and group lessons are also available.

Guards Polo Academy, situated in the stunning parkland setting of Coworth Park, also offers a variety of options ranging from one-hour lessons and half-day master classes to full membership for those looking for a more serious approach to playing polo.

Canoe & Kayak Adventures on the River Thames

Canoes and kayaks on the River Thames

Paddle along the River Thames to take in the magnificent Windsor vista, past Windsor Castle – the oldest inhabited castle in the world – and the historic Eton College. Windsor's Canoe and Kayak Adventures offer canoe, kayak and SUP hire as well as guided tours along this beautiful stretch of the River Thames.

Rowing on Eton Dorney Lake

Eton Dorney Lake is one of the world's finest rowing and canoeing venues and was the official location for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so where better than to try your hand at rowing? Dorney Boat Club is open to all abilities and offers 'learn to row' sessions for adults and children of all abilities.  The lake is a perfect backdrop for other sporting activities throughout the year such as half marathons and triathlons.

Racing at Royal Windsor Racecourse

Royal Windsor horseracing

Royal Windsor Racecourse is a fabulous island location set in 165 acres of beautiful countryside on the banks of the River Thames, overlooked by Windsor Castle. Flat racing takes place from April to October with regular Monday evening fixtures and themed nights during the summer. New jumps racing takes place in the winter. You can even arrive by boat from Windsor courtesy of French Brothers raceday shuttle.

Royal Windsor Horse Show (May)

Set in the stunning private grounds of Windsor Castle, Royal Windsor Horse Show is the UK's biggest outdoor horse show and involves 3,500 competing horses for International Carriage Driving, Showing, Dressage, Endurance and Jumping. Held in May, this annual event (which has been taking place since 1943) is a feast for all things equestrian, combining top sporting and competition action.  Enjoyed by both locals and international visitors alike, the Royal Windsor Horse Show is not to be missed. 

Cartier Queen's Cup Polo (May–June)

Guards Polo Club at Smiths Lawn, Windsor Great Park, hosts one of the world's greatest spectator polo days and is a 'must' in Britain's social calendar where society and royalty mix with Hollywood film stars and global music icons. The Cartier Queen's Cup takes place in May to June and attracts the sport's leading players from across the globe and the team sheet reads like a Who's Who of polo.

Windsor Running Festival (September)

One of the country's most picturesque running events, the annual Windsor Running Festival is held in the stunning surroundings of Windsor Great Park. The festival features a 10K women's race (Running4Women Windsor), the Windsor Half Marathon and the 2 mile Glynn Sheffield Memorial Run which is open to anyone over the age of 10. All races finish on the iconic Long Walk offering breathtaking views of Windsor Castle.

Inland diving

Wraysbury Dive Centre can be found a few miles out of Windsor and boasts a 15-acre lake. This 5 star PADI Instructor Development Centre offers all PADI courses from open water to instructor.  A keen beginner or an accomplished diver, this centre has it covered.

Bungee jumping at Bray Lake

Bungee jumping

For all the adrenaline junkies out there, why not have a go at Bungee jumping? The UK Bungee Club is based at Bray Lake Watersports. This is the main UK bungee jump site in a wonderful location.